How Princess Diana's 1981 Peach Ruffled Blouse, Now Sold For Rs 3 Crore, Led Her To Find Her Wedding Dress

The 80s were a significant era for the British monarchy. At the end of the previous decade, the then-Prince Charles; at 29-years-old, had cast his eyes on a teenage Diana Spencer for the very first time. Though he was a guest of her elder sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale to attend a grouse shooting party at the Spencer family home Althorp, it was 16-year-old Diana who left an indelible impression on his mind. By the beginning of the 80s, romance had bloomed for Diana and Charles and the couple were engaged to be married in 1981. But it wasn't only their relationship that went gone down in history, it's also the late Princess Diana's treasure trove of stunning style.

(Also Read: The True Story Behind Princess Diana's 'Black Sheep' Sweater That Could Be Auctioned For Up To ₹65 Lakhs)

Photo Credit: AFP

Charles and Diana's engagement in February 1981 was marked with an official announcement from Buckingham Palace and a portrait of hers published in Vogue. In the photo shot by Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, Diana is seen posing in a delicate peach toned blouse. It featured long bell sleeves and a ruffled neckline with a ribbon-tied bow around the collar. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, it was a perfect accompaniment to Diana's elegant style, with her drop earrings and side-parted short locks. The engagement blouse in question has now sold for an incredible Rs 3 crores or $381,000, which is nearly four times the worth of its original estimate of $80,000. Not only was the mark that the designer blouse left a record-breaking one; it was also responsible for Diana wearing the wedding dress she did to marry Charles as it went on to be designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

Photo Credit: AFP

Also part of the auction was Princess Diana's dual-toned evening dress by Moroccan-born fashion designer Jacques Azagury, which sold for over Rs 9 crores or $1,148,080. With a black velvet embroidered bodice on top and blue ballerina-style skirt at the bottom, it is now valued as the most expensive dress worn by Diana to be sold at auction.

Photo Credit: AFP

So many decades later, the allure of Princess Diana hasn't yet faded.

Source: National Portrait Gallery, Sky News, The Guardian, People

(Also Read: Princess Diana's Black Sheep-Print Sweater Soon To Be Auctioned For Close To ₹60 Lakhs)